LUXOR TO ASWAN (5 TEMPLES)

ESNA – TEMPLE OF KHNUM

Esna (Latopolis in Greek; Ta-senet in Egyptian) is located 55 km (32 miles) south of Luxor, is a modern town which hosts the Temple of Khnum. This temple was built under the XVIIIth dynasty (later rebuilt by the Ptolemies) to honor the divine triad of Gods Khnum, Neith and their offspring Heka. The Ram headed Khnum is one of the earliest Egyptian deities, originally the god of the source of the Nile, (he was the protector of Pharaoh Khufu, who built the Great Pyramid in Giza) The temple is remarkable for the beauty of its site and the magnificence of its architecture. The Ptolemaic Hypostyle hall (pictured) is considered by Egyptologist the nicest and best preserved of Egypt’s and it is the only remaining part of this once huge temple. Built of red sandstone, its portico consist of 24 columns topped by lotus-leaf capitals (six rows of four columns, each are different). They are covered with colourful hieroglyphs, their notable features are the trinity Khnum, Neith and Heka, the Esna Zodiac with the 12 constellations on the ceiling, figures of the Ram-headed God Khnum, Ptolemies and Roman Pharaohs.

EDFU – TEMPLE OF HORUS

The Temple of Edfu is nearly intact and a very good example of an ancient Egyptian temple. Built during the reign of 6 Ptolemies (Greek Pharaos) between 237 and 57 BC, it’s been freed from centuries buried in the sand in 1860 by Auguste Mariette. This temple stands out for many reasons and is a must-visit! It is the second largest Temple in Egypt after Karnak: 137m long and 79m large, with 36m high pylons. It is dedicated to the Sun God Horus, Falcon headed, who guarantees the smooth running of the world in his diurnal journey. He is the son of Osiris and Isis the fundamental Gods; who live under many names; and endlessly fought Seth, the killer of Osiris. The inscriptions on the temple’s walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Greco-Roman period such as the mythical interpretation of this and all other temples as the Island of Creation. Would Egyptians and later foreign rulers dedicate so much time money and energy in building these landmarks to simply follow “poetic legends”? There are important scenes and inscriptions of the Sacred Drama which related the age-old duality between Horus and Seth. The temple of Horus was the center of several festivals sacred to Horus. Each year, Hathor of Denderah travelled south on the Nile from her temple to visit Horus at Edfu, and this event marking their sacred marriage was the occasion of a great festival and pilgrimage. Its other important features are the many statues of Horus and a barque sanctuary surrounded by 9 chapels.

KOM OMBO – TEMPLE OF HORUS & SOBEK

The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic dynasty. The building is unique because its ‘double’ design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Horus the Elder, along “with Tasenetnofret (the Good Sister, a special form of Hathor) and Panebtawy (Lord of the Two Lands).The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis. The scene on the inner face of the rear wall of the temple is of particular interest, and “probably represents a set of surgical instruments. A few of the three-hundred crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed inside the temple. A curiosity that is rarely noted is that computer processors from the 90’s are strangely similar to the plan of this temple.

NIGHT IN ASWAN –

We spend the night in Aswan, in a charming hotel in the vein of a 1001 nights, owned by a local family, we have dinner there aswell, they make an excellent plate of Egyptian tasty selections.

If you are making the trip by felucca, we will sleep on the felucca set up with matresses, 1 night on the bank of Kom Ombo and the second night in Aswan.

PHILAE ISLAND – TEMPLE OF ISIS

The Temple is dedicated to Isis, mother of Horus and wife of Osiris, last ancient temple built during the Greco Roman “classical” Egyptian architectural style. Construction began in approx 690 BC. It was moved from its original location on Philae Island, to its new location on Agilkia Island, after the flooding of Lake Nasser. Isis is a very important figure in the ancient world. She is associated with funeral rites but as the enchantress who resurrected Osiris and gave birth to Horus she is also the giver of life, a healer and protector of kings. She was known as ‘Mother of God’ and was represented with a throne on her head. During the Roman period her cult spread throughout Greece and the Roman Empire. There is even a temple dedicated to her in London. The temple was nearly lost under water when the high Aswan dam was built in the 1960s. Fortunately the temple was rescued by a joint operation between the Egyptian government and UNESCO.

ABU SIMBEL – (optional)

Probably the most incredible monument of Ancient Egypt and one outstanding temple on the Planet. Prepare your self to be blown away!

Enjoy Luxor at your own pace, personnalise your holiday to spend the time you need in this wonderful city, to seeall the wonders it has to offer, staying on the West Bank, peaceful local life close to most Ancient Egypt major sites.